Is it healthy to peel fruit and store it in the refrigerator? What are some healthy ways to eat fruit? (Ngoc, 22 years old, Hanoi ).
Does eating pre-cut fruit reduce its nutritional value?
Reply:
Fruits are a source of many vitamins and minerals for the body. However, you shouldn't peel fruit in advance and store it in the refrigerator. If not eaten immediately, it can easily lead to bacterial contamination, faster oxidation, reduced nutrients, and loss of flavor. Some substances like Vitamin C and folate in fruit are gradually lost due to the effects of light, temperature, and air. Furthermore, peeling the fruit beforehand accelerates this process. Therefore, once fruit is cut, it should be eaten immediately to receive the highest nutritional value.
For fruits that are eaten with the peel, you should use a specialized fruit wash or diluted salt water to remove dirt and pesticide residue.
To absorb more nutrients, it's best to eat fruit after meals because the acid in fruit stimulates saliva production, helping to clean teeth. It's preferable to eat fruit directly rather than as juice, as this adds more fiber to your diet. Fruit can also be combined with sweetened or unsweetened yogurt as a snack.
Eating too much fruit before bed can easily lead to indigestion. Pregnant women with gestational diabetes should avoid fruits high in sugar. Fruits to eat include apples, oranges, guavas, pears, kiwis, cucumbers, dragon fruit, jicama, and rose apples. Fruits to limit include mangoes, papayas, bananas, longan, lychees, jackfruit, durian, and dried fruits.
People with kidney failure who have elevated blood potassium levels should limit their intake of fruits high in potassium, such as durian, jackfruit, bananas, longan, guava, and custard apple. You can consult a nutritionist when consuming fruits to avoid drug-food interactions and prevent blood sugar spikes.
Nutrition expert Nguyen Thi Hanh
Vietnam-Sweden Hospital - Uong Bi, Quang Ninh
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